Periodontal Disease
Serving the Portland OR & Vancouver WA Metro Area
Periodontal disease affects millions of Americans over the age of 30. This disease can often creep up on you and it can start with symptoms you may not consider as being out of the ordinary. By learning more about it, you can be prepared to fight against it with the help of your dentist.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums. Although it can occur in several different ways, gingivitis is the term that is most often used for the beginning stages of this disease. With gingivitis, your gums appear inflamed around the area where they touch your teeth. They may look more red than normal or bleed when you brush or floss them, and pain commonly occurs.
If gingivitis is allowed to progress, it can move into periodontitis, which extends deeper into the gums and may even lead to a breakdown in the bones that support the teeth. Eventually, your teeth can loosen and you may even lose some or all of your teeth. However, gingivitis does not have to progress to this stage.
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What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is affected by many risk factors, including the following:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Infrequent plaque removal
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Crooked teeth
How Can Periodontal Disease Be Treated?
The best way to treat the beginning stages of periodontal disease is with excellent and regular oral care. Daily care should include two minutes of brushing twice per day and daily flossing. You should also see your dentist regularly for cleanings. If this disease progresses far enough, you may need to have scaling and planning of your teeth beneath the gum lines or even gum or bone grafting.
Thankfully, when periodontal disease is caught early, it can be reversed, and you can continue to live with beautiful gums and healthy teeth for the rest of your life. Always follow all of your dentist’s recommendations for good oral health and follow excellent oral hygiene at home. Controlling the amount of plaque on your teeth is the most important thing you can do for healthy gums.
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